Missing statue of Mary found undamaged

Just as notices of a statue of Mary reported missing the day before Christmas were being taken down, the figure has suddenly been returned to the United Church of Christ in Medfield.

Laury Hunt, administrator at United Church of Christ, said the statue was found last Saturday by a member of the congregation saw it in the bushes while they were dropping off donations for the food cupboard.

“I made the announcement during church [on Sunday],” said Hunt. “Everyone was very excited, excited and relieved that she was back.”

Hunt said the statue—part of a nativity scene placed outside for years by Dick Tlapa, a volunteer at the church—was undamaged, and there was no note found nearby. After it was reported missing, Hunt said she searched for a way to replace it, but found that only complete nativity scenes were sold, as opposed to individual pieces.

“I was starting to lose hope that it would come back, and [it was] frustrating that it isn’t an easily researched piece,” said Hunt.

Hunt added that it was interesting timing, with Holy Week—the last week of Lent and the week before Easter—right around the corner, that the statue is returned.

“I guess we’ll have to have faith that people will appreciate the situation and not take it again,” she said.